BOSTON (AP) — The state Gaming Commission has backed a plan allowing MGM Springfield to begin construction on its proposed $950 million casino.
The unanimous vote Thursday starts an environmental regulatory process allowing MGM Springfield to start the work.
The Gaming Commission voted in August to allow MGM Springfield to open in September 2018, more than a year after it was first awarded the resort casino license.
MGM Springfield has proposed reducing the size of the project — a six-story, rather than 25-story, hotel — while increasing the cost from $800 million. The project’s overall square footage has been reduced.
Proposed design changes must be approved by Springfield city officials and the Gaming Commission.
The five-member Gaming Commission plans a separate vote on the design changes at a later date.
The MGC approved the project’s Section 61 Findings, the final condition in MGM Springfield’s state licensing process, at its public meeting, thus clearing the way to begin construction. The MGC specifically found that all feasible measures have been taken to avoid or minimize impacts of the project and damage to the environment.
“We are grateful to the MGC commissioners for their detailed deliberations and patience with this process,” MGM Springfield President Michael Mathis said. “This comprehensive review has helped MGM Springfield evolve into the most community-facing and integrated property MGM Resorts has ever built.”
In accordance with the requirements of the Massachusetts Environmental Policy Act (MEPA) there must be a meaningful review of projects that involve state action, such as the issuance of a gaming license, to determine environmental impact and to ensure that state agencies impose all feasible means to avoid damage to the environment as conditions of a license. MGM Springfield’s proposed Section 61 Findings were part of its Final Environmental Impact Report filed on Nov. 6, 2014 and a Certificate issued by the Secretary of Energy and Environmental Affairs on Dec. 31, 2014. Other key agency determinations have been made by the Department of Housing and Community Development and the Massachusetts Historical Commission.
Separately, the proposed design changes must still be approved by the City and the MGC. Updated MGM Springfield design plans were made public in September, and company executives appeared at a public presentation in Springfield in November to outline the design plan, highlighting changes that allowed for both design and cost efficiencies, as well as to provide a new project cost estimate of more than $950 million.
“This approval has been a year in the making,” Mathis said. “We are eager to bring this back to Springfield and work with the city to get final sign off for impactful demolition and construction.”
The Springfield City Council is expected to discuss and vote on a casino overlay district on Monday and MGM Springfield representatives will be at the meeting.
The new year will be busy for MGM with the commencement of active construction, MGM Springfield construction management representatives hosting ongoing information sessions with interested minority, women and veteran owned businesses, and the opening of the relocated MGM Springfield Community Office.
